Chapter 112: Twin Spears Combine to Kill and Slaughter
When it comes to swords, watch the hands; when it comes to dual swords, watch the movement.
A spear thrusts in a straight line, its lethality concentrated on the single line the spear edge extends along. If the distance is closed, the advantage of “an inch longer is an inch stronger” vanishes entirely.
These are things that seasoned experts know well, and dual swords are easily countered by a spear.
“Thousand Hand Butcher” Peng Lianhu possessed outstanding cultivation. Seeing Zhou Yan’s spear techniques were rare and exceptional, he used his Judge’s Brush to parry the blows, employing a sword style, specifically the style of the Yuanyang Swords.
The two Judge’s Brushes danced up and down in his hands, like writhing snakes, carving ripples through the smoke. In a few swift strikes, he closed the distance with Zhou Yan.
With a “clang!”, the spear edge was struck down. Peng Lianhu grinned menacingly, “Kid, die.”
As he spoke, he agilely advanced, striking Zhou Yan’s “Yunmen acupoint” with his Judge’s Brush from above and targeting the “Taihe acupoint” below, launching a killing move.
“Not necessarily.”
Zhou Yan kicked out, the spearhead “hummed” and sprang up, lifting a large section of wooden plank to smash at Peng Lianhu.
“What a slippery one!” Peng Lianhu retreated sharply. With a feint, he appeared behind Zhou Yan, his pair of Judge’s Brushes descending towards the major acupoints on his back.
Zhou Yan practiced the Golden Goose Skill, and in terms of leaping, ascending, and running, he was not inferior to the current “Thousand Hand Butcher” Peng Lianhu. However, in terms of quick evasive maneuvers in confined spaces like on a boat, he was indeed lacking compared to his opponent. This was why he yearned for the “Snake Movement Fox Flip” from the upper volume of the Nine Yin Manual; of course, if he had the opportunity to cultivate the Tomb Lightness Skill, it would be even better.
His agility in small-scale shifting and position changes was inferior to Peng Lianhu’s, but his combat experience was now incredibly rich. Peng Lianhu flickered and disappeared from his sight. He spun around abruptly. The iron spear in his hand seemed to vanish for a moment, and the next instant, its edge thrust out, precisely the “Returning Spear” from the Yue Family Spear Technique.
This spear had been used by the Yue family generals in battle to slay countless opponents.
Peng Lianhu dared not be careless and avoided its sharp edge. He suddenly reappeared on Zhou Yan’s flank. However, no matter how he shifted his position, Zhou Yan’s spear, whether pointing, thrusting, or arcing, always managed to intercept his attacks at the critical moment. On the large boat, Peng Lianhu continuously propelled himself, and from a distance, he appeared like a wildly dancing dragon circling Zhou Yan.
Lu Guanying, while fighting Peng Lianhu’s disciple, witnessed this scene and was secretly shocked. What was supposed to be a sure-fire ambush had turned into such a twist. If not for this young hero’s righteous intervention, they might have been in mortal danger.
Lu Guanying, while engaged in combat, continuously issued orders, instructing the heroes of the water village to surround and attack.
On a larger boat further away, Sha Tongtian, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, took a firework from his pocket and lit it.
With a “bang,” a red firework exploded in the night sky.
A large boat also sailed over from behind the imperial fleet of Lin’an Prefecture at this moment.
Seven people stood at the bow of the boat, the foremost among them holding a steel staff, who was none other than “Flying Bat” Ke Zhen’e.
The large boat carrying the Six Heroes of Jiangnan was sailing ahead of Zhou Yan. The fleet from Lin’an Prefecture, sent to receive the Jin Dynasty Imperial Envoy, was approaching head-on. The Six Heroes, not understanding the situation, stopped their boat to let them pass.
Not long after, the scene Zhou Yan witnessed unfolded.
Amidst the fierce fighting, shouts of “Kill the corrupt officials!” and “Running dogs of the Jin!” echoed in the air.
How could the Six Heroes of Jiangnan stand by any longer? They immediately ordered the boatman to turn their boat around and head over.
The Lin’an Prefecture soldiers and the Taihu Lake Water Village forces were clearly separated, their positions distinct and obvious.
However, on the boats where the fighting was most intense, the combatants were all dressed as martial artists, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.
Therefore, the Six Heroes stood at the bow, assessing the situation.
Zhu Cong’s gaze was fixed on Zhou Yan. He had recognized Zhou Yan, who had masked himself to rescue him and Han Xiaoying on the long street in Zhongdu. Now, he recognized his life-saving benefactor, whose face was wrapped in a headscarf.
“Big Brother, that young man with the spear is the benefactor who bravely intervened outside the Zhao Wang Manor in Zhongdu.”
When he said this, Ke Zhen’e had no reason to doubt him.
“First, help our benefactor defeat the enemy.”
“Alright!”
The large boat rapidly approached. Within ten feet, Ke Zhen’e, discerning the situation by sound, leaped up. Like a bat leaping over the bright moonlight, he landed on the boat. Zhu Cong, Han Baoju, Nan Xiren, Han Xiaoying, Guo Jing, and others followed closely onto the boat.
Guo Jing, fighting bare-handed, saw Zhou Yan’s spear techniques were divine. He immediately thought of the Huyan Spear Technique taught by his Sixth Master.
Amidst the smoke, Guo Jing picked up a large spear with a wooden shaft and an iron spearhead from the large boat. He thrust it forward in a Middle Flat stance, a straightforward move, but his spear technique was grand and ancient. He joined Zhou Yan in attacking.
In the water not far away, Ghost Gate Dragon King Sha Tongtian was stunned. He had just sent out a distress signal, and now reinforcements had arrived.
Damn it, this is uncanny.
Right, where is that scoundrel junior brother of mine?
…
Suddenly, the sound of a pipa was heard on the water. The host, forgetting to depart, did not move. Asking who was playing, the pipa music stopped, hesitant to speak.
A painted boat, a pleasure barge, slowly sailed across the lake. The cook served exquisite dishes, while Ouyang Ke and Wanyan Kang ate, drank, recited poetry, and admired the moon.
As the atmosphere grew lively, Ouyang Ke’s beautiful concubines would offer songs and dances.
Monk Lingzhi and Ouyang Feng were also on the boat. However, the former, being a monk, abstained from the wine, feasts, and dances. Ouyang Feng, on the other hand, was completely uninterested. Liang Zi Weng, however, watched with great enjoyment.
He had practiced Yin Yang Cultivation for a period, but after being reprimanded by Hong Qigong, he had truly not committed such acts again. Yet, watching the seductive dance of the beautiful concubine, the Ginseng Immortal Old Freak felt an unbearable itch, as if insects were crawling on him.
He thought indignantly, why does Ouyang Ke abduct beautiful women indiscriminately, and the old beggar does nothing? Yet, when I practice Yin Yang Cultivation, I get beaten. The old beggar is also someone who bullies the weak and fears the strong.
Wanyan Kang also admired Ouyang Ke’s beautiful concubines, but he was someone who could maintain his composure and understand what was important.
Coincidentally, one of the beautiful concubines performed a piece titled “Song of the Pipa,” with a momentum like “a silver bottle suddenly shattering, water gushing out; iron cavalry charging forth, swords and spears clashing.”
Wanyan Kang, filled with heroic spirit, said, “Taihu Lake is vast, with thirty-six thousand square li, and seventy-two peaks immersed within it, a marvel of the world. Master Ouyang, with your assistance to Father King in taking Lin’an Prefecture, you may build your residence and claim land in Taihu Lake at your leisure, listening to the Wu dialect.”
Ouyang Ke chuckled, “Little Prince, you may rest assured. With my uncle here, the Wumu’s Military Writings will be as easy to obtain as picking something up. Your Highness possesses great talent and strategy, and Little Prince has foresight; you will surely ‘lead an army of a million to the West Lake, and stand proudly on the first peak of Wushan.'”
Wanyan Kang said, “My ancestors’ lineage were all skilled in warfare. If our Great Jin possessed even half the might of the ‘Searching Mountains and Inspecting Seas’ of yesteryear, perhaps you and I would have been drinking and admiring the moon by the West Lake long ago.”
“Heroes emerge in troubled times. The current situation is also precisely what allows Little Prince to ascend to power like stepping on azure clouds, soaring like a roc in the wind.”
“Master Ouyang, you truly understand me. I toast you.”
The painted boat, a pleasure barge, happened to sail past Yingzhou ahead. The two suddenly saw flames surging on the distant lake.
Wanyan Kang abruptly stood up, “Could it be that the fleet receiving the Imperial Envoy in Lin’an Prefecture has encountered trouble?”
“Little Prince, do not worry. Are there not also Chieftain Peng and the others? Let us go and see.”
“Good!”
The painted boat, a pleasure barge, proceeded slowly. Ouyang Ke, Wanyan Kang, Ouyang Feng, and others boarded a large boat. After sailing only a few miles, the sounds of fighting reached them, followed by fireworks exploding in the air with a “bang.”
Wanyan Kang’s expression turned grim, “It’s a distress signal. I wonder which bandits they encountered. It must be a matter of utmost urgency.”
“Uncle, please help.”
Ouyang Ke knew what Wanyan Kang meant. He was thinking of the promise made earlier that White Camel Mountain could claim land in Taihu Lake at will. Therefore, he went along with the flow and asked Ouyang Feng for help.
…
Upon boarding, Guo Jing, Han Xiaoying, Zhu Cong, and Quan Jinfu formed a pincer movement around Peng Lianhu. Ke Zhen’e, Han Baoju, and others intercepted Sha Tongtian.
Zhou Yan had not anticipated the reinforcement from the Six Heroes of Jiangnan, but this was a golden opportunity to kill Peng Lianhu. He wielded his spear, his attacks fierce.
Guo Jing felt an unprecedented sense of telepathic connection as his moves complemented Zhou Yan’s. When he saw Zhou Yan employing the “Huyan Spear Technique,” he was inwardly astonished, thinking, how could the benefactor of his Second and Seventh Masters also know this spear technique, and even more proficiently than himself?
Before this thought had even settled, his spear movements involuntarily followed Zhou Yan’s.
Zhou Yan’s spear style changed again, becoming the Yue Family Spear Technique, while Guo Jing wholeheartedly employed the “Huyan Spear Technique.”
Suddenly, their dual spear coordination was seamless, their attacks like ink splashed across a great river, flowing endlessly. Peng Lianhu was instantly thrown into a state of disarray.
